Dental hygiene is always very important for the health and look of your teeth as well as for your general health. When you are wearing braces, you have even more reasons to practice excellent dental care. Your dental care habits now will have a huge impact on how your teeth look when the braces are removed. 

Brush

Everyone knows the rule: brush your teeth every day. But with braces, that job isn’t quite as easy as it used to be. However, with a little practice, you will have the hang of it in no time!

First, it is a good idea to brush after every meal. Food particles and plaque love to hang out on and around your brackets. Second, it is helpful to rinse your mouth before brushing. This loosens any food particles from your braces and teeth, making them easier to brush. Third, brushing with braces is all about the angle of the brush. Brush your teeth with the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle; first along the gum line, then along the top of your brackets, and then along the bottom of your brackets. Finally, you can move on to the tops and inside surfaces of your teeth. 

Floss

Flossing is critical for a healthy mouth. The spaces between the teeth are the perfect places for food and plaque to hide and for cavities to get started. Flossing is the only way to clean those spots. Flossing with braces requires an extra step that can feel clumsy at first, but it is well worth getting the hang of. Using a floss threader, insert one end of the floss through the threader, poke the threader between the teeth, and pull until the floss is in position. Don’t give up! In a matter of days, you will be a pro!

Visit Your Dentist

The American Dental Association recommends visiting the dentist twice a year. Most dental insurances cover these visits. At each visit, your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned and checked for any issues. Dental problems never go away on their own, and the sooner they are treated, the easier treatment will be. 

Dental hygiene is always important, but with braces, the white, straight, beautiful smile you are working so hard for depends on it. Brushing and flossing are simple when you develop the habit. Find some way to work it into your routine so that it becomes second nature! That winning smile at the big reveal on the day you get your braces off will be well worth it!

For more dental care tips for people with braces, click here! And if you are thinking about getting braces, don’t wait to get the smile you’ve been looking for! Visit Sonneveld Orthodontics for a free consultation!